Round 1 (v Broncos) Teams & Stories

[Granty]

NORTH QUEENSLAND TOYOTA COWBOYS NYC Vs Brisbane

GAME DETAILS: ROUND 1
When: Fri 13 Mar 5:20 pm
Where: Suncorp Stadium


Cowboys

1. Sam Bowie
2. Obe Geia
3. Moses Pangai
4. Steven Eliott
5. Mitchell Zornig
6. Ben Cronin
7. Ray Thompson
8. Ronnie Alovili
9. Michael Morgan
10. Dane Hogan
11. Troyden Watene
12. Jack Cooper
13. Tyson Martin

Interchange

14. Wayne Ulugia
15. Chris Faust
16. Shaun Maloney
17. Dylan Smith
18. James Segeyar


Broncos

1. Dane Gagai
2. Lyndon Law
3. Joel Koina
4. Dale Copley
5. Tyson Brookes
6. Corey Norman
7. Todd Murphy
8. Tyson Andrews
9. Kurt Baptise
10. Dunamis Lui
11. Tariq Sims
12. Jacob Samoa
13. Guy Ford

Interchange

14. Josh Coyle
15. David Hala
16. Rhys Matsen
17. James Ackerman

[Granty]

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/03/11/43805_sportsphoto.html

Meanwhile, Australian Schoolboy prop Ron Alovili will return from a toe injury two weeks earlier than first thought for the Cowboys under-20s.

The hardworking forward – a Tongan international – has been named for the club's round one clash against the Broncos.

COWBOYS UNDER-20s: Sam Bowie, Obe Geia, Moses Pangai, Steven Eliott, Mitchell Zornig, Ben Cronin, Ray Thompson, Ronnie Alovili, Michael Morgan, Dane Hogan, Troyden Watene, Jack Cooper, Tyson Martin.
INTERCHANGE: Wayne Ulugia, Chris Faust, Shaun Maloney, Dylan Smith, James Segeyaro (18th man).

[Granty]

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=north+queensland+cowboys&ie=UTF-8&scoring=n

Young talent time for Cowboys' under-20s

JOSH ALSTON

March 13th, 2009

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2009/03/13/Cowboys-under-20s.jpg
READY TO RUMBLE ... Cowboys under-20s players
Michael Morgan, Wayne Ulugia and Moses Pangai
can't wait for the National Youth Competition to start

THESE are the three Townsville high school students set to make their debut in the Toyota Cup for the Cowboys tonight.

Giant centre Moses Pangai (17, Ignatius Park College), fleet-footed utility Wayne Ulugia (16, Kirwan High) and hooker Michael Morgan (16, Ignatius Park) have been selected for tonight's clash with the Broncos.

The trio earned their inclusions after stellar pre-season hitouts against the Northern Pride and Townsville Stingers, while Pangai was also part of a combined Cowboys outfit that played the Pride in Cairns two weeks ago.

"They've all been very impressive in the trials in part considering their age and the age and experience of the guys they've played against," coach Kristian Woolf said.

"They were very good and it built a lot of confidence which is a big thing for young blokes.

"Their attitude has been very good and that's one thing we like to reward."

The youngest of the three, Ulugia, was impressive against the Stingers two weeks ago as he tore their line to shreds with his footwork and pace.

"His confidence and ability to not only attack the ball from fullback but the way he brings the ball back and his involvement is very good," Woolf said.

And while Pangai's enormous 191cm, 106kg frame is one of his strengths, Woolf said his biggest asset was housed between his ears.

"He's very big, but he's not just big he's quite an intelligent player and can do some good things with the ball. We're looking forward to him having a big game," Woolf said.

"He's got a very good attitude and has been terrific training-wise so hopefully he can do the same in games."

Morgan is a Townsville product and held off a spirited charge from James Segeyaro, Jared Cockburn and Darren Tonihi to claim the jersey, even after an ankle injury threatened to rule him out.

"He was very, very good against the Northern Pride and he's actually a local boy, born-and-bred," Woolf said.

"He's been at Iggy Park since Year 8 so the highest level he's played is schoolboy footy ... so the game against the Pride with 40-minute halves and playing against men from the State League was definitely a big step up.

"He handled it really well though so we thought we would give him first crack." Woolf praised both Ignatius Park and Kirwan High for their efforts in developing junior talent like Morgan.

"They are obviously the nursery for North Queensland talent and the quality of work they do and the progress in their development is exemplified by the kids that have come through," he said.

Front-rower Ron Alovili has passed a fitness test on his injured toe and will play tonight while Townsville product Ray Thompson has been chosen to captain the team.

[Granty]

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/03/14/44631_cowboys.html

North Queensland Cowboys under-20s score first-up win

JOSH ALSTON
March 14th, 2009

THE COWBOYS under-20s have posted a 26-22 first-up win against the Broncos – but it has come at a price.

Skipper and halfback Ray Thompson appears to have dislocated his shoulder after a tackle went wrong in the fifth minute of the game.

Sydney Roosters recruit Ben Cronin stepped up admirably in Thompson's absence, shifting to first receiver and controlling the flow of the game superbly while regular fullback Sam Bowie moved into five-eighth.

Kirwan High student Wayne Ulugia had a blinder on debut, replacing Bowie in the backline and scoring a try almost immediately.

He then set up Steven Eliot in the second half with a dazzling 60m run that left the Brisbane defenders clutching at thin air before off-loading to the centre.

Coach Kristian Woolf praised the toughness shown by his young charges to grind out the win.

"Wayne's a 16-year-old kid who was thrown in for a lot more minutes than he was expecting, he was thrown in the deep end a little bit and he did really well," he said.

"I've got to give (hooker) Michael Morgan credit too, he played 80 minutes and he wasn't expecting that.

"And guys like Sam Bowie, he was pitched into the (five-eighth) position which he's never played before and he was able to steer us around the park.

"The blokes will get some confidence out of that. They played positions and minutes they weren't expecting to play and did well so I'm happy."

The extent of Thompson's injury won't be known until mid-week with the Townsville product set to undergo scans today.

"It's a bit hard to tell what's wrong with it now, the docs had a look at it and he thinks he might have sublaxed it a little bit," Woolf said. "We'll get some MRI's (today) and we'll know more next week."

The Cowboys were made to work hard for the win after the Broncos posted two early tries through Joel Koina and Todd Murphy.

But North Queensland struck back in fine style as winger Mitchell Zornig and prop Dane Hogan both scored in consecutive plays with Ben Cronin converting both to push out to a 12-10 lead. The injection of James Segeyaro helped the Cowboys extend their lead further before Ulugia crossed for his first try for the club. Reeling at 22-10, the Broncos were able to capitalise on numerous North Queensland infringements with Tariq Sims crossing just before halftime.

Ulugia's brilliant run allowed the Cowboys to extend their lead back out to 10, a lead they held until the 78th minute when Broncos forward David Hala crashed over under the sticks.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 26 (Mitchell Zornig, Dane Hogan, Wayne Ulugia, James Segeyaro, Steven Eliot tries; Ben Cronin three goals) d
BRISBANE BRONCOS 22 (Joel Koina, Dale Copely, Tariq Sims, David Hala tries; Corey Norman three goals)

[Granty]

http://www.cowboys.com.au/news.php?id=768

NYC's first victory for 2009

16 Mar 2009

http://www.cowboys.com.au/Uploads/Latest%20News/Updates/NYC_round1_hdr.jpg

Enterprising attack and strong defence gave the Toyota Cowboys a first-up victory 26-22 over the Brisbane Broncos in the Toyota Cup at Suncorp Stadium.

The Cowboys were on the front foot from the opening whistle and led 22-16 at half time.

A brilliant 60-metre run by exciting teenager Wayne Ulugia set up Steven Eliott to score in the 49th minute to create a ten point buffer, and while the Broncos bounced back in the dying minutes, the young Cowboys held on to claim the win.

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys 26 (Dane Hogan, Mitchell Zornig, Wayne Ulugia, Steven Eliott, Moses Pangai, Ben Cronin 3 goals)
d Brisbane Broncos 22 (Joel Koina, Todd Murphy, Taraq Sims, David Hala tries, Corey Norman 3 goals)